.-X9 F3»2~ 



^je 



THE PET OF PARSONS' RANCH. 



A Ocmedy-Drama in Five Acts. 



W. F. FELCH. 



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T. S. DENISON; Publisher^ Chicago. 



PET OF PARSONS' RANCH 



A COMEDY-DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS. 



BY 

V 

W. FARRAND FELCH. 



i 



WITH THE CAST OF CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, SCENES AND PROPERTIES, 

RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE DRAMATIS 

PERSONS, ETC., ETC. 




CHICAGO: 
T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 

ibj Randolph Street. 
Copyright iSS6, by T. S. Denison. 



THE PET OF PARSONS' RANCH, 



CHARACTERS. 

"Pet" Parsons, a child of nature. 

Aaron Parsons, her father, keeper of " Parsons' Ranch," a hotel on 

the overland stage route. 
Jeff Rogers, an old stager and a whole-souled fellow. 
Neil Norris, alias Tom Hart, alias Tom Ambrose, a gambler, 

" road agent," etc. 
" Lariat Joe," Norris' partner in iniquity. 

Harry Grosvenor, a cultured tourist from the East, but true blue. 
Mr. Stalkenlily, a matter-of-fact detective, with a case of his own. 
Father Flynn, a real missionary, among " heretics." 
" Pap" Reeder, an old ''■49er," slow and easy. 
Alec. Bartlett, an Eastern capitalist, bluff and middle-aged. 
Gertie Grosvenor, Harry's sister, from Boston. 

Miners, Stage Passengers, and Vigilantes._ 



Time — Prior to the buildiitg of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
Place — " Parsons'' Ranch " in the Sierras. 



Time of flaying two hours. 



COSTUMES. 

Father Flynn. — Long black coat, high cut vest buttoning to throat, 

smooth shaven. 
Miners. — Brown duck overalls and sack coats of same material, greasy 

and well-worn mostly; woolen shirts; slouch wool hats; heavy boots; 

some with shaggy whiskers and unkempt appearance, others neater; 

belts and revolvers. 
Jeff Rogers. — Corduroy trousers worn inside boot tops; velvet vest 

and coat; fancv woolen shirt, showing some kind of tie at throat; white 

sombrero; buckskin driving gloves with very long tops; hair rather 

(2) 



TMP92-008887 



CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, ETC. 3 

long and inclined to curl (black or brown). Make-up of a " crack" 
stage driver of the gold hunting days. If obtainable, may wear buck- 
skin trousers with a fancy stripe and row of buckskin fringe up legs. 
In scene I of fifth act, semi-dress suit and more nearly costume of the 
day, to end of play. 

Neil Norris. — Rough and ready business suit, somewhat better than 
the average. 

Stalkenlily and Harry. — Costumes of the day, excepting they wear 
woolen shirts. 

Lariat Joe may be smooth shaven, and for disguise change clothing 
and wear whiskers. 

Pet. — Neat dress of plain materials ; hair dressed very simply or falling 
in natural ringlets; tidy and attractive. 



BILL OF THE PLAY. 

Act I. — The hotel at Parsons' Ranch in the Sierras. The miners have 
a quiet game of poker. Neil Norris proposes to Pet Parsons ; threatens 
her when she scorns his offer. " A father in the penitentiary." Old 
Si Smiles, his mewl and his dawg. Aaron Parsons' secret. 

Act II.— Stalkenlily the detective. Aaron Pardons "spotted." Plan 
to rob the Wells-Fargo stage coach. Parsons forced to join the gang. 

Act III. — The robbery on the " Divide." Parsons seen with the gang 
unmasked. Pet's night ride to save him. In the hands of Norris. 
Her rescue. 

Act IV. — Pet nurses Harry, who was wounded in her rescue. Parsons 
in danger. The lynch court. Escape. Disappearance of Parsons and 
Pet 

Act V. — Jeif Rogers the "crack" stage driver, is sent on the hazardous 
mission of escorting a handsome young lady across the plains with 
disastrous consequences to his heart. Return of Parsons and Pet to 
Parsons' Ranch. Arrest of Norris and disclosure of the secret. Par- 
sons' dying bequest. The double wedding. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 



R means right — the actor facing the audience; Z., left; C, center; R C, 
right center ; U B^ upper entrance ; / G", first groove, etc. 

Note. — Persons desiring to present this play, will please address the author, at 
Hartford, Conn., for additional suggestions, directions, and other gratuitous assist- 
ance, which he will be pleased to offer, in order that it may be successfully produced. 



THE PET OF PARSONS' RANCH, 



ACT I. 

Evening.— -/?<?<?w liglited ivith candles. Miners and others seated around 
table "L.. i E. — Foicr of thein engaged m playing cards; viz.: Neil 
N orris., Lariat Joe^and tuo others. Small table R. i Y^. for '■''Pef^ 
toith lamp and sewing materials ihereofi. Hotel counter atL,.C. Door C. 
Aaron behind counter. 

Pap Reeder {ivith box in his hands., enters C.) Now boj's, I brought this 
contraption down here to let you see it, sence you have been a wantin' to 
for so long. I'll warrant this contrivance to save all the gold there is in 
any material whatever — mud, water, gravel, quartz, or sulphurets. 

Aaron. It's like them paytent medicines, — warranted to cure everything. 

Reeder. Well, you see, boys, the greatest obstacle to gold is impurities, 
and my process is cal'lated to remove them. Ef they come thar by water, 
like this 'ere gulch gold, it'll take 'em out by water. This 'ere quartz 
gold's got impurities— come there by lire, and it'll take 'em out by fire, — 
jest the way they come thar — that's the hull science of the matter. Here, 
I'll show you the paytent. {Takes paper jrom his pocket aiid reads:) **After 
the impurities is removed the gold remains, — whereas, etcetery, etcete- 
ry, — removes impurities." 

Father Flynn. No, bedad, that's jest what it won't do. Sure the goold 
is as bad as the pigs in the old counthry — av ye remove the dirt, ye can't 
kape the pig. {Sound of ivheels outside). Jeff's ahead of toime, the night. 

Reeder. A fellow can't help being ahead of time with a down grade 
and a full moon, and Parsons' Ranch at the eend of the road. Jeff has 
no call to be late under them sarcumstances. Besides, he allers finds 
"Pet" here, — the pet of the camp. 

Father F. That ginul of Aaron's can jest see any girrul on the Pa- 
cific Shlope, go her ten betther, rake in the sthakes, and niver show her 
hond. Aye, she's a trump, — and well-named — "the Pet of the camp," 

Norris. {at table., L. i E). Father Flynn, I am surprised to hear you 
using gambler's slang. 

Father F. Oh, I'm used to spakin your koind of language, — but, 
sorra a bit, I was only spakin metaphorically, so to speak. And aven 
then I could not do justice to her blissed picter. Where is she, Aaron.? 

Aaron. She's gone up the grade, after the old cow. 

Father F. The saints protect her, now. She'd betther not go alone 
after this, or the Road-agents will be afther her — the blissed girrul ! 

Jeff, {calling outside at a distance^ xvhich gradually grows lotider). 
Whoa ! Ho there ! Whoa now ! PIo— o — o ! 

(4) 



THE PET OF PARSONSV RANCH. 5 

Father F, {aside). And there's another fellow will be afther her, too, 
the sly dog. 

yeff {enters C. tuitk treasure-box, and ivhip in hand). Well, boys, 
what's the racket? 

Aaron. Nothin' much. Any passengers, JefF.? 

Je^'. Not a soul now, but I left three scaly speciments half way down 
the grade near Pap Reeder's. What in thunder they wanted to get out 
thar for I can't imagine. Mebbe they were after Pap's smelting box; ha, 
ha, — hey, boys.'* 

Aaron. What kind of lookin men were they, Jeff .-^ 

yef. {aside) Suspicious as ever, {aloud) Well, fair to middling. I 
asked one of them what he wanted to get out thar for, and he said they 
were prospecting. Mighty cur'us way. Give ine one partner that I can 
freeze to, and no one to interfere till our claim is staked out — hey, boys.? 
But here's your express box, Aaron. 

Aaron, {takes box from Jeff). The dust must be coming in lively from 
the gulch, for these boxes are getting too heavy to be handy, {exit Aaron 
ivith treasure box L.) 

Jeff, The stuff don't all come from the divide, for the water is so low 
up thar they can't mix thar drinks. All the boys are taking their whis- 
key straight, and thar's some talk of cleaning out the saloons and pouring 
the liquor into the creek, so as to fill up the sluices. But they can't trust 
anybody to carry out that plan, — hey boys.? 

Father F. It would be a blissed day to put into the calendar, if the 
wather would all dry up, so they'd have to use the whiskey that way, and 
couldn't get anither drap to wet their whistles wid. 

Jeff. I quite agree with you mv Christian friend. Put it thar. {shake 
hands ; Jeff goes up to the card table.) 

Father F. And keard playing is anither devarsion of the divil. 

Jeff. I'm with you again, my reverend friend, {they shake.) 

Father F. {aside to Jeff.) And if I'm not mistaken, there's some 
diviltry going on over there. 

Jeff. I'll keep my weather eye on them, {goes over to the table.) Hello, 
Neil, passing the time agreeably, eh.? You'll have to shut down on gam- 
ing if you are going to ride over the treasure-box of the Wells- Fargo Com- 
pany. They ain't over fond of their messengers playing poker. {Starts, 
cotnes up C; aside) Oho! my fine fellow has an extra card concealed in his 
cuff, I'll spoil his little game for him. I'll play his hand for him, and 
play it clear out, — and he dares n't peach. If he does he's a goner, {goes 
back to the card table) You're looking pale, Neil, and these gentlemen 
will have to excuse yow, I'll take your hand jest as it stands. I'll give 
you a chance to change your luck. 

Lariat Joe. {aside^to "his partner, Neil.) We want to stick to the lead 
we are on ; don't let that sharper bilk you, pard. 

Neil, {rises, gives cards to Jeff and comes up C) Curses on his sharp 
eyes, {removes card from his sleeve and puts in pocket.) If he hadn't seen 
that card we would have had their pile in another holy minute. 

Father F. {cotnes up C. to Neil.) You see, Neil, Jeff is as brave as a 
grizzly bear, and jest about as sassy. Phwat he don't know is pretty 
lean tailings, and not worth panning out, eh.? 



6 THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 

JVet'L {ttirning aside.) Does this meddling priest know of it too? I'll 
question him. {aloud.) So you wanted to see the game broken up? 

Father F. {boldly.) You're just roight, me mon, seeing as it was all 
one-sided. So I wasn't a bit sorry when Jeff took the cards out of your 
hands. Now, he'll toorn the tables and give them poor divils a 
chance to get their money back where it roightly belongs. Keard play- 
ing is the divil's devarsion, but if there's is any justice in it, Jeff will foind 
it out. He's a trump. 

Neil. Oh, it's all right, but I shall be even with him. 

Father F. {laughing.) Shure he's shmart. He wasn't going to inter- 
fere direct wid a desperate mon and get a quarrel put onto him. He 
didn't want a hole bored through him, or mebbe six holes for the day- 
loight to crape through. He warnt on the foight at all, at all; so he jest 
took hold av your hand of keards and I've an idea he'll help thim poor 
byes over the riffle. 

Neil. Perhaps you instigated him, sir. 

Father F. That's for you lo foind out. 

Neil, {aside.) So then he is in my secret, curse him. 

ycff. {at the table^ playi7tg cards.) "^ Tell you what, Neil, I'm glad this 
is your hand, not mine. Fact is it is thawing away faster'n ice. 

Father F. {at door C.) Ah, here comes that blissid girrul, *<Pet". 
{Enter Pet hastily^ breathless and latighing. ithuts the door and futs back 

against it.) 

Pet. Oh, what a jolly run I had. Whew! 

Aaron. Well, Pet, did you find the white cow? 

Pet. Yes. Found her half way up the divide, tumbled into one of 
old Timken's prospecting holes. Lucky she didn't go over the other 
side of the road instead. She would have got her everlasting never-get- 
over-it if she had. It would have made beef ot her, sure. 

Father F. Phwat's that about going up the divide. You had better 
look out for yourself for the road agents have stharted a branch office 
somewhere forninst here, and they are doin a con'hract business. 

Feeder. ^ Yaas, they might carry you off. They busted old uncle 
Billy's sluice-boxes the other night, and cleaned all the quick out of the 
riffles and went through three Chinees on the grade that night. 

Pet. {takes from her pocket a small ivory-handled revolver ^ I ain't 
afraid. We don't go shopping alone. There's six of us. {seats herself at 
table R. 1 E. and ser.'s) 

Neil ^ {comes forzvard, looks at Father Flynn and Pet covertly, and then 
seats himself on the other side of the table from her. Aside to her in a low 
tone.) I wish you good-evening. Miss Parsons. 

Pet {tuithont looking tip.) Good-evening, sir. 

Neil. Have you considered the little proposition that I took the lib- 
erty of making, yesterday afternoon. It was unfortunate that you were 
interrupted when you were about to give me an answer. 

Pet {looks around carefully.) Your proposal was made once before 
and declined. You had no reason to expect a different answer when you 
met me alone on the grade and repeated your proposal which I did not 
care to hear. If Jeff had not come by with the stage just then I should 
have given you some angry words. 



THE PET OF PARSONSV RANCH. 7 

Neil. But jou are not angry now? 

Pet. I give you the same answer that I gave you then. 

Neil (leans closer and says fiercely) I would not have let you off so 
easily if Jeff had not come along. 

Pet. Sir, what do you mean.? 

Neil. I merely mean to say that I had then, and still have, something 
to say in addition to my protestations of love that will probably lead you 
to change your mind. Your father — 

Pet. You are going too far, sir. I do not know by what means you 
have gained my father's good opinion, but he will not control mine. You 
have twice asked me to marry you, but I tell you now and forever — no. 
And if you persecute me any more I shall inform my friends. I have 
as many here as you have, and I have only to say the word and they will 
fly to my aid. But I spare you, on condition that you never mention this 
subject again to me. 

{Neil^ chagrified^ turns away a7id meditates^ 

Jeff {-Matching them closely.) What's up. Pet.? Don't you take .any 
more of his lip-currency than suits you. 

Pet. Nothing is up. Mr. Norris and I have had a little argument, 
that's all. A sort of two hand euchre, you know, {laughs) It was 
quite harmless and rather stupid, and there were no stakes. 

Neil, {turns and faces her fiercely. Aside tj her). There are no stakes 
but a father — say a father in States' prison. 

Pet {frightcmd). I do not understand you, sir. 

Neil. You understand me very well, Miss Parsons. And now, per- 
mit me to add that I shall have the pleasure to repeat my proposal to- 
morrow. Until then think it over well. 

Reeder {-ulio has been tinkering with his box.) I say, Parson Flynn, 
what do you say to wetting our whistles ? 

Father F. I'm a temperance man, but I do not mind a sup for 
stomach's sake. 

Reeder. All right, boys. Come on Mr. Norris. It's my treat. {Ex- 
eunt C.) 

Aayo7i (watches Norris exit., and then cojnes forward and sits at table 
opposite Pet ; speaks low) Fine fellow that Mr. Norris, Pet. So gentle- 
manly and so — 

Pet. A gentleman .? No ! A gambler and a villain ! I can not bear 
him! Father, are you really in his power.? 

Aaron {nervously). Oh, — no — no my dear, only — I wish you would — 
be kind to him. — for— my — sake. 

Pet. For your sake, father.? Certainly. But what do you mean by 
that.? 

Aaron. I can not tell you now. Some other time — when I am stronger 
— and you are better able to bear the burden I now bear. You know 
you promised me once that you would never ask me to reveal mv secret 
until the right time came for telling you. (He exits R. sorrowfidly) 

Pet. I have promised and I will keep my promise, it it breaks my 
heart, {jolloxvs him offslozvly, R.) ' 

{Re-enter Reeder^ Norris, Jeff and Father Flynn, C.) 

Jeff, {at card table). Well, Neil, here goes the last of your dust, but 



5 THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. 

I'm going to rake down the pile or bust. {Lariat Joe frodAices another 
bag of gold. Jeff hesitates a moynent. Aside to Joe.) Don't you put down 
your money, my friend, till you look at your cards again, — all of them. 
We want no mistakes in this game. {Neil comes behind Jeff^s chair and 
looks into Jefs hand.) 

Neil, {to Joe.) No use betting against that hand. 

Joe. {puts bag of gold back in his ;pocket.) I guess I was mistaken. 
That lets me out. {Throws doivn cards^ rises and goes L.) 

Neil {as Joe passes hitn.) You fool, in another minute you would have 
had him counting all the aces in the pack. You'd better mosey. {Exit 
Joe C.) 

Jeff {rising fron card table) Well, that beats all. Neil, you'll have 
to play for me some time, jest to make things square, you know. {En- 
ter Pet "Si. -juith Jeff's Slipper.) Why, here's Pet. Now I shouldn't 
wonder if I had kept the lady waiting. Havel, Pet.? {exit Neil C) 
{Pet o)tly shakes her head as she places his stepper on the table R.) Pet, what's 
the matter.'' Sulks to-day? {She shakes her head again) Well, you 
needn't speak unless you want to, Pet. 

Pet. It is too bad, Jeff ; you promised you would not gamble any more 
and now you are just as foolish as the rest. 

Jeff. Well, now. Pet, don't crack your whip until your leaders are 
hitched up. I was only turning the tables on my beloved friend, Mr. 
Norris. You see those fellows had aces in their boots and sleeves until 
they couldn't rest; and ef the boys here had found it out there'd have been 
a shooting or worse. Maybe somebody would have danced in the air 
with their.boots on, right in front of this house. Thar's trees handy. 

Pet. It would have served them right, then. The boys all know how 
I hafe gambling. But these were all strangers, except Mr. Norris, and 
I fancy he does not care much for my opinion. 

Jff. Well, I don't like hangings along side of the road. It scares 
bosses and sets them to shying and backing and fooling generally. No 
more do I want shooting around this ranch. It spoils the furniture and 
fixings, and gives folks unpleasant idees about the place. 

Pet. Then you took it all on your own shoulders to stop any quarrel. 
It was so good of you, Jeff. 

Jeff. Well, even if I do feel inclined to draw a bead on him, I hadn't a 
show, to-night, for I left my six-shooter on the seat of my coach, like a 
fool, handy for road-agents, but of no use to me. A man ought to go 
Av ell heeled if he expects to have dealings with Norris and his crowd. {Eat- 
ing rapidly., but stops atid looks at Pet suddenly) Say, really. Pet, you aint 
down on me, are you.? You see I would have brought that six-shooter 
in and used it on his carcass if I had known you wanted me to. 

Pet. No, no, don't say such dreadful things. But why did you gamble, 

Jeff. Well that would make a good story. It was the neatest thing on 
Mr. Norris he ever struck. I just let him see 1 found him cheating, so I 
took his hand from him, and showed him how to play poker. He 
behaved very quiet and gentlemanly, you bet — hey, boys? Beg pardon. 
I was thinking the boys were here. Well, it took about twenty minutes 
to lose Neil's pile for him. The gulch boys got their gold back again and 
I haven't really gambled any, have I } 



RANCH. 9 

Pet. No, I shouldn't call it a -winning game for jou, Jeff. 

ycff. It was a put up game. You might say two put up games — 
Norris's and then mine — but mine rather laid over his, I cal'late.'' 

Pet. Jeff", I want to talk to you about father. 

Jeff. Now's your lime. But first it's all right about the poker game, 
Pet.? It was a put up game, you know; he knew that, and he's figuring 
lo get even with me, somehow. 

Pet. Yes, yes, it's all right I suppose; at any rate it's just like you get- 
ting into other people's quarrels— not that I object to that, for the fact is 
I want you to give me a lift — will you,^ 

Jeff. All right. A free ride on my coach, just as far as you like. 
{aside.) I wish it was for the whole everlasting trip till we pass in our 
checks. 

Pet. I have nobody but you to go to, Jeff, you know, and somehow 
I know you can do something for me. That Mr. Norris has been talk- 
ing to father and frightening him, and as father seems to be on his side, 
it's two to one, which isn't fair to me now, is it.^* 

Jeff, {aside.) Oh, I see how it is. He has been making love to her. 
{looks at her steadily ) Do you like that fellow, Pet.^* 

Pet. I hate him. Oh, how I hate him. 

Jeff. Now, do7i't say that. If you hate a fellow you'll begin to think 
too much of him. You can't play agin him and win unless you keep 
cool and take things easy. But what's he driving at, Pet.? 

Pft. {desperately.) He has asked me twice to marry him — Q.nd father 
has asked me to be kiJid to him. 

Jef. {solemnly.) Well, so you must. You be kind to him and I'll 
take charge of the hating business. No, I won't hate him, neither; but 
I'll spoil his game, and I'll run him out of camp, as sure as my name's 
Jeff" Rogers. What sort of a hold has he got on the old man, Pet.? 

Pet. I don't know — only he said something about— a — State's prison. 

Jeff Well, now, it ain't my gait, you know, to go asking unnecessary 
questions; but Pet, was the old man in any kind of a scrape — dead broke, 
you know — down on his luck ? — Under a shadow when he left the States.? 

Pet {embarrassed.) I do not know, and I have promised my father 
to never ask hnn about the past. But oh, he is a good man. Do believe 
me, and don't give us up. I liave nobody but you to trust in. And you 
have always been a brother to me. 

Jeff {confused.) Brother be hanged ! I ain't much in the brother line. 
Pet. Couldn't you give me a little promotion on that.? I ain't fit to be 
your huhband, although I have improved some sence you took the reins. 
But, if such infernal smooth scoundrels as Neil Norris are prospecting 
around, I don't see why I haven't a show. Marry me, Pet, marry me. 

Pet. {earnestly.) Don't make me drive you away, Jeff. I can not lose 
a friend such as you have been, nor can I take a husband. Besides, you 
haven't considered, you want to help me and you think that is the short- 
est wav. You haven't thought of marrying any one until this moment. 
We will go back won't we, to where we were before? 

Jcf. What— and say it all over again.? I don't know but what you 
are right, Pet; I hadn't thought much of marrying before — though it 
sorter seems as if I shouldn't think of much else from now on. But I'll 



lO THE PET OF PARSON s' RANCH. 

turn it over in my mind. Anyhow it shan't make any difference be- 
tween us, eh Pet? To be your brother ain't much — but it's better than 
nothing, and when you're ready to begin over again as you say — I'll 
"pop" again, eh, Pet. 

Pe^. But will you help me and my father? 

y<l^. I can't drive when 1 don't see my leaders, to say nothing of my 
wheel-horses — but I'll do my best. As for Neil Norris, I'll settle his case. 
No, you needn't look scared. No shooting if I can help it. But, what- 
ever I do, you will trust me, Pet? 

Pc^. Always; and \vi\\you trust us? 

Jeff. Trust you? Yes, I will trust you to the day of my death, sweet- 
heart. Give us your hand on it. {She gives her hand to him ^ 

Pet. There's my hand, Jeff, and I will trust you. But I mvist go now. 
{She takes up dishes on rvaiter.) Good-bye, and God bless you for a friend. 
{Exit R. %vith dishes on the rvaiter.) 

Jejf. She is pure gold, every grain of her. I ain't so sure about the 
old man, though — no savvy, no fight. He's been dead broke some time, 
and never got over it. Pet thinks him innocent, but what's the use of 
that. It's no use being innocent until some one says you're guilty. 

{Neil appears at back C. and listens.') 
Pet rather shied off about the marrying business. Served me right, but 
she wasn't a bit flustered. She got out of the way as easy as a chicken, 
and I never could drive over a chicken when I drive my prettiest. That's 
Pet all over, only she don't flutter or squawk. 

Neil, {aside.) The devil. So he has made love to her? 

Jfff. I can't quite see into that Norris' hand. When the agent told 
me this morning that he was going to send Norris to ride guard over 
the treasure box I laughed at the idea of thar being any danger. But 
I'm afraid there's some deviltry afoot, and if thar is that Norris is in it 
sure. Well, I'll lay for him anyhow. 

{Bfiter Aaron Jollowed by Harry Grosvenor and Mr. Stalketilily L. Enter 
Neil, Joe and Pap Reeder.) 

Aaron. Gentlemen, this is Mr. Grosvenor from Boston. 

Jeff, {rises and shakes his hand.) Ho, ho, my heart}'. These are the 
gentlemen I left up the divide, prospecting. 

Mr. S. Hang the fellow, he'll spoil my chances if he advertises us in 
this way. 

Joe. {aside to Norris.) Say, Tom.* 

Jeff, {overhears them. Aside.) Oho. Z'*?;^, isit? I thought as much. 
Now I have got a hold on the man I want. 

N'eil. Don't call me Tom. 

Joe. Well, then, Neil., I don't like the looks of them sharps that have 
just come to town. Still the young man looks green, and mebbe he's 
got some money that's too hefty for him and we can relieve him of it; 
but the o'd un over thar is up to some new game. I'll be hanged ef he 
ain't takin* notes. 

AV?7. Never mind them, Joe. They'll have to get up before sun-up 
to catch this wea^el asleep. 

Aaro7t. The gentlemen are newspaper men from the East, Jeff"; and 



THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. II 

perhaps you can favor them -with some ideas about the country out here. 
\Exit Aaron L.) 

yejf. No, can't say as I can. I'm not much on the story-teUing line. 
That's Pap Reeder's best holt. Say, Pap, spose yon tell'em about that 
mule of "Spanish George's." {to Harry.) Nobody else can tell that story 
when he's around. 

Pap. Wall, then to begin ; of all the queer fellows from Los Angeles 
to Yreka, old Si Smiles laid over them all. He useder live all by him- 
self, with that dawg of hisn and that mewl of hisn. He was the fust man 
on the coast as understood the valoo of quartz, — and the same could be 
said of the mewl and the dawg. Ye see he useder go every whar on 
that mewl of his'n with his rifle and pick, a-prospectin', and every time 
he'd come to a bowlder or a piece of float quartz off he'd get and hammer 
away and that mewl would stand for hours. 

yef. Oh, let the mewl stand ; but tell about old Si's partner, "Spanish 
George." 

Pap. Jeff, ef you want me to tell this story, yotc keep quiet, do you 
hear.? Wall, the old man had a partner called "Spanish George" — no 
more Spanish than you or I be, stranger, only he married a Spanish gal 
and took hername, 'stid of given her hisn you see? 

yeff. No harm in that, hey, boys.? Only if a man drops one name 
because it's played out on the road and hitches onto another, let him stick 
to that as long as he can — hey, Neil, ain't that so.? {N^eil ■winces.) 

Pap. Jeff, ef you don't stop pesterin me while I'm tellin this story, 
you'll get me riled up. Wall, as I was sayin', when old Si died "Span- 
ish George" took the dawg and the mewl down to his ranch in the foot- 
hills, but they wan't no count at all. The dawg was allers nosing around 
every quartz rock he come across after gold; and the mewl would stop 
short at every stun in the road, and no amount of poundin' or cussin' 
would budge her until you'd get off and hammer at that stun. Only the 
mewl wan't no jedge of quartz, like the dawg was. 

Harry. Remarkable story. I'll note it down. {Takes out ttotebook atid 
writes.) 

Pap, Yaas, do. But one day that dawg made sech a fuss over a 
ledge of rocks that stood about twenty rods from the road, that Spanish 
George went and took a look at it himself, and gentlemen, the gold was 
sticking out of tliat quartz like the pints on a prickly pear; and George 
up and sold that mine for a cool hundred thousand, sir. 

JVeil. Took it mostly in stock, and the company busted up in six 
months, and the stock wasn't worth a prickly pear. 

y^e^] Well, I don't see as the dog was to blame for that. The com- 
pany sent up a fellow to be superintendent who didn't know as much as 
the dog. 

Pap. Yaas, then they sent up another one, but he was too almighty 
smart. He got out gold enough, and paid all the dividends to himself. 
In fact, he vamosed the ranch with about $20,000, and they never could 
catch him, nohow. 

yej^. I remember him well. (Loohs closely at Neil.) His name was 
Tojn Hart then, but they say the vigilantes at Placerville had a better 
title for him'. {Neil -winces) Oho. I've got a hold on Mr. Norris now. 



12 THE PET OF PARSOn's PvANCH. 

Neil (aside.) This is evidently a conspiracy to ferret out my antece- 
dents, but pshaw ! 

Mr.S. (aside.) Memorandum number one. "Tom Hart." SothisJefF 
Rogers knows something about the man I'm after, eh? I'll question him. 

Father F. Pap, I think that is a pretty good story, and calls for the 
drinks. (All exit C. except Jeff and Mr. Stalkenlily.) 

Stalkenlily. Mr. Rogers, I have something to say to you. You have 
been on the line here long enough to know who / am. 

Jeff. Yes, I knew who you were the moment you came into the 
room — the Wells-Fargo's Detective, — even if you have been away a long 
spell. 

Mr.S. No need of particulars between old acquaintances, then. I'm 
looking for a man high and low, and I have a snug little country res- 
idence for him, with barred windows, up country. By the way, who 
goes up the road to-night with you.? 

Jeff, Nobody but yourself and the young man you are traveling 
with, and Neil Norris. 

Mr. S. Exactly, now I want you to tell the young man to ride out- 
side with you, so I can have a private talk with Mr. Neil Norris. See.? 

Jeff. Certainly, sir. In fact it will be healthier for both of us, sir, if 
you keep him inside. But then I've no cause to quarrel with him so long 
as he does not interfere with me or my driving. 

Air. S. What sort of a man is this Aaron Parsons.? (Neil listening C.) 

jfeff. Well, Aaron is a harmless sort of a man, but there's something 
the matter of him. He's had a big scare sometime, and can't get over it. 
Pet has the spirit of ten such men as he is. I wouldn't like to believe he 
would lie or steal. He wouldn't sure, if Pet was around. (They exit L. 
Enter Neil C, comes down C.) 

Neil. So then this man is on my track, and he has that lynx-eyed Jeff 
Rogers to help him; but I have old Aaron under my thumb and he 
daresn't say his soul is his own. Ha! ha! ha! 

Pet. (Enters L. zuwbservedby kiin) Sir, he is safe enough from your 
persecutions. I have friends to protect us, and even if I had not I should 
not fear you, for I can play my cards alone. I have a full hand against 
you, Mr. Norris, and I warn you in time that the best thing you can do 
is to^^, — and never let me see your face again. (Tableati.) 

CURTAIN. 

(Second Picture. Jeff and the Detective seen C.) 

ACT II. 

Same scene as Act I. Tables removed. Tiine^ afternoon, 0?te day later 
than the time of last act. Valises; trunks; etc. At rise of curtain '■'•Pet'''' 
and Harry Grosvenor discovered. Pet behind cotmter, Harry leaning 
over it in front. 

Harry. It must be a great sacrifice, Miss Parsons, for you to live in 
this wild solitude, with such rough neighbors, and without your accus- 
tomed pleasures. 

Pet I do not consider it a sacrifice. 

Harry. Pardon me, I do not meati to imply that you do not find some 
compensation here for whatever you left behind in the East. 



THE PET OF PARSONS' RANCH. 1 3 

Pet. I left nothing behind in the States, except such things as my 
piano and my pictures. My home and my friends are here. And these 
rough neighbors have truer hearts than men in fine clothes. 

Harry, (aside.) Is she becoming personal, (aloud.) But you do miss — 

PeL Yes — the piano — and the sea. 

Harry. Then you used to live by the sea.? 

Pet. I liave lived by the Atlantic, and wish I might see it again. But I 
waste no time on such thoughts. If I were at the sea-side I should miss 
my mountains. You do not know the mountains yet — when you do you 
will not wonder that I love to live in their shadows. And when you 
know these people you will find them heroic, if not polite. 

Harry (aside.) She is true blue, anyhow, (aloud.) Do you know, 
you remind me of my sister Gertie, for you look at things as she does. 
She knows what she believes; while I — I am always searching after the 
truth. 

Pet. Well, if I resemble your sister it is in telling the truth, and I 
don't worry myself about things I can't understand. Of course it is 
right to do right, and that is the end of it all. 
. Harry. But what is your opinion oi truth f 

Pet. I hate conundrums. Truth is a noun. Don't make an interro- 
gation point out of it. 

Harry. Do you mean then I should not search for truth.? 

Pet. Yes — if you mean by truth, something truer than honesty or 
kindness, deeper than sorrow and sin^ something — 

Harry. Absolute. 

Pet. Yes. Then all I can say is I don't believe you could do any- 
thing with it if you had it. There was a man here one night with a 
patent for making something that would dissolve everything else. He 
pretended that it was an old secret, and he was going to apply it to the 
quartz mines. 

Harry. It was perhaps, the universal solvent of the ancients. 

Pet. Well, whatever it was, he proposed to work such wonders with 
it that I asked him at last what he was going to keep it in ; and you never 
saw any one so embarrassed. The boys gave me three cheers. 

Harry. You have silenced me on abstract questions, but I would like 
to know how you can find anything tolerable in such rude men.? Do 
they not spoil you for the harmony of nature around you.? 

Pet. Well, I haven't thought much on the subject. I only care for 
my father particularly, for I think a father is always lovable. Brothers 
are hard and selfish, and lovers uncertain, you know. 

Harry. Yes, I suppose. But 1 hope you wouldn't choose one of these 
rough men for a — lover ? That would be casting pearls to swine. 

Pet. Don't try to flatter me, Mr. Grosvenor. Besides these ^ro. gentle- 
ine7iy not swine. As far as my experience goes with men — well, I have a 
few married friends, and I know that married happiness is hardly ever 
realized, for something always gets out of joint. 

Harry. But all men are not rogues and tyrants. 

Pet. Yes, but nine-tenths of v/oman's unhappiness comes from man's 
inhumanity. A woman can wound our self love, but it is only a man that 
can wound and kill our hearts — all noble aims and all hope of heaven. 



I/j. THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. 

Harry {aside.) She will not understand me. She will not believe me 
if I tell her that I love her. Well, then, patience a little longer. 

Pet. All these rough, hard working fellows treat me kindly and \ do 
not lecture them on their vices; but they know my thoughts and try to 
please me. There is no one to care for ihem spiritually but Father Flynn, 
but he isn't here often. I think the boys care more for me because I am 
here all the time — and then Father Flynn and I are on the best of terms. 
He calls me his *'Little Heretic Missionary." Ha, here he comes. 
{Enter Fatket Flyim C.) 

Father F. Was ye spakin of me.^ 

Harry. She was telling me she was your assistant. 

Father F. Yis, she and I have chairge of this diosase. But the blis- 
sid girrul taches all the Catholic children from the Protestant Boible. 

Pet. Now, Father Flynn, you mustn't complain. You must help me 
all you can. 

Father F. May the blissings of the saints loight on ye, — but ye ought 
to be a good Catholic intoirely— and sure that will come in toime. Bad 
cess to it, it's a perilous thing misleading the innocent sowls of them 
childer, and making heretics of the men and wimmin. But no doubt 
you'll do good work in the eend, for by me sowl the poor craythers are go-* 
ing to the divil intoirely, and } e can't make things much woorse. 

Pet. But, Father Flynn, I am doing all the good I can. You can 
send me some Catholic books and I'll teach out of them, for I'm not a 
bigot, {aside to Harry.) See how quickly I'll bring him around. 

Father F. Yis, I'll do phwat I can to counteract your bad influence. 
I'll come and talk to the byes, and I'll make some checker-boards for 
your reading room. I'm a mighty workinan at the carpenthry business. 
And if ye have no objection, I'll put the sign of the cross on the under 
side of the boords and — and ye kin larn them out of the Protestant 
Boible if ye wish, it's better than nothin at all. But it's a wicked heretic 
ye are — and I'll write to the Bishop that the haythen are getting the up- 
per hands of me here. Oh, ye swate misguided crayther. But come I 
have a word to say to ye, if the gintleman will let ye off. {Exit l^./ollotved 
by Pet.) 

Harry {aside.) Indeed she is a sweet misguided creature. If she had 
the advantages of civilization and culture, I should not much mind mak- 
ing her my wife. She is very clever — too clever for these parts — but she 
is not — no, she is not e-x.2ici\y proper. Somehow she reminds me of a 
boyish love of mine, at Seabrook— and by the way, she bears the same 
name, Parsons. {During this speech Stalkenlily has entered C. and stands 
listening^ 

Mr. S. Would 3'ou be surprised to hear, my friend, that this is the 
same lady.? 

Harry. Confound it man, v>rere you listening.? 

Mr. S. Yes I'm a sly dog — devilish sly. Have to be in my business — 
detective, you know. But if you stay here much longer, Pet will have 
a new proselyte for Father Flynn. They all give in to her, somehow. 
Every man in the camp loves that little woman, 

Harry. You seem to know something of her, sir.? 

Mr. S. It s in my line of business, you know. Used to know them at 
Seabrook. Parsons was cashier of the bank ; wife died ; pretty little prop- 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 1 5 

erty of his own. They say he educated Pet, and she took the lead in 
society there. They got into trouble and left there suddenly. But 
thereby hangs a tale. I'll tell you some other time. Ah, here comes 
Aaron. Good-afternoon. I would like to see him alone, if you please. 

Harry. Oh, certainly. I will withdraw. {Exit L. Enter Aaron R. 
with express box.) 

Mr. S. No time for ceremony. Do you know this Mr. Neil Norris? 

Aaron {friglitened^ Ye — e — s. 

Mr. S. Did you know him when he was Tom Hart.? 

Aaron. N — n — o. 

Mr. S. Nor when he was Tom Ambrose.? {Aaron turns away J rig-Jit- 
ened.) Confound it, man, I'm not after you. I'm after him. If you had 
any pluck now, you would help me, and thus help yourself out of diffi- 
culty. He got you into a scrape once, and you owe him one for that. 
Take care he don't get you into another. My name's Stalkenlily ; 
there's my card sir, {hands card. Unfolds an old scrap oj paper vjhich he 
shotus to Aaron.) That zuas a check for $10,000 on the Seabrook Bank, 
and that's my name to it, if I didnH xvrite it. Seen it before, eh } {Aaron 
sinks helpless in a chair.) Well, it'you can't talk / can't. I shall be back 
in a few daj's, and you'll think better of it. Good- day, sir. {exit Aaron, 
with box L, C.) 

Mr. S. The man's innocent. But what a fool ! I thought he would 
give me the evidence to fix the other fellow ; but down he goes in a heap. 
He may warn Ambrose, and what would Wells- Fargo say to me then.? 
But, pshaw! After this affair is off of my hands, I'll come back here, 
and sit square down to it, and have the truth out of him. If I can't go 
for Mr. Ambrose I have a good case against Mr. Hart; and I suspect I'm 
just in time to spoil a neat little game for Mr. Norris. A three-handed 
reel. Ha, ha. {Exit C.) 

{Stage coach is backed tip L. outside of door, so as to shoxv hind wheels. 
Business of carrying out trunks and loading boot of coach, under the direct- 
ion of Aaron, who comes on L. txvo miners assisting. Pet and Harry come 
on R. and stand conversing aside R. ^eff watcftes them closely^ 

Jeff. Pet don't treat people that way, first go-off. That's queer now; 
a little too kind, and yet not kind enough. Bids him good-bye as if she 
had known him for years, and yet as cheerful and jolly as if he was com- 
ing back to-morrow. I'll find out how the land lies. {Pet and Harry 
shake hands at parting. Harry %valks tozvard door L. exit Pet R.) 

ycf {intercepting Harry.) I say, partner, you'd better sit up on the 
front seat with me. 

Harry. All right sir, and thank you for the privilege, as it will give 
me an opportunity of observing the scenery. It is simply grand here. 

'^ejf. You may well say that. There's nothing sir, to beat the Sierras 
except the Rockies and the Himalayas. Some folks bet on one and some 
on t'other ; but there's not many that have seen them all three as I have. 
As for me, give me the Himalayas for once in my life, the Yosemite 
once a year, and the Divide here for a steady beverage. 

Harry. Do you often meet with accidents.? 

yeff". You^may well ask that. Right about here is whar ''Cumber- 



l6 THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 

land Mike" met with the closest shave ever he had. You see he was 
coming down the grade on a steady trot, traces all swinging, when one 
of the wheels struck a stone and the jar broke the brake-baron both sides. 
That left the coach free to run right onto the bosses, and all Mike could 
do was to give the whip to the bosses, and do his level best to keep in 
the road. What he didn't know about driving wasn't possible to ten 
fingers and two eyes. Jest as they jerked around this corner here, what 
should Mike see but an eight-ox team putty near the middle of the road. 
One second more and the bosses would have jumped over the cliff, and 
that coach with nine passengers inside and nine out could not have been 
insured at 99 per cent, without a bonus. But the boys said nothing as 
one of the passengers was a lady and thar was no use to scare her, hey, 
boys ? 

Harry. Well, go on. 

Jeff- Go on ? I believe you. Go on it was, or go over, but the boys 
were game and they scrambled over to the side of the coach nighest the 
hill, when Mike yelled at them. And Mike — well, Mike he just laid on 
the whip, yelled like a hull tribe of Injuns and drove straight lor the strip 
of road between the ox- wagon and the edge. The outside bosses knocked 
plenty of stones and dirt down the canyon, but none of them fell. The 
coach had two wheels on solid ground and two in the air, and before she 
had time to upset all four of them struck solid ground and the trick was 
trumped. The boys gave Mike the biggest watch in the States, as big 
as a Contra costapear, and it weighed fourteen ounces before the works 
went into it. 

Harry. But the woman? How did she behave through it all.^ 

Jeff. Je!-t as you might expect from that woman, and not from any 
average speciment. She never spoke a word until it was all over. It 
was "Pet" Parsons and thar aint no such gals on the Pacific Slope! 

Harry. Well, I should say she is a brave girl! 

'Jeff'. Yes, as I was saying, thar's nobody jest like Pet. She jest sat 
thar like a knot on a pine log, never hollered or tried to get out! 

Harry. You seem to be intimate with Pet — Miss Parsons I mean.? 

Jeff. Pet? She's been an angel to me. I've knocked about the world 
so much that the polish, what little thar was, has putty well rubbed ofl^". 
P act is when I lost all my money in that mining company that Tom Hart 
broke up, I v as so cut up about it that I came near taking to liquor and 
cards and worse, but Pet saved me just in time — or God Almighty did, 
it's all the same, for he operates through his angels and she's one of 
them, fixed to suit the Pacific Coast, the nineteenth century, and the 
gellorious climate of Californy. In fact she is — ahem — she is my sister, — 
and a great deal too good for me — hey, boys.? 

Harry. Your sister ? 

Jeff. Well, I don't mind saying to you that that is the best that can 
be done at present — for marryin' ain't in my line. Sometimes I'm in- 
clined to think if the old man,— but thar, I won't say anything more 
about it. {turns atuay.) I say. Pap Reeder, have you got any buckskin 
handy. I've lost the popper "off my "whip-lash. 

Pap. I'll slit ye off a piece of my hunting shirt. Step right in here 
whar we can get the benefit of the candle. Jeff and Pap exit L. Harry 
exit R. enter Neil and Joe C. Joe disguised. 



THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. I7 

Neil. What infernal foolery is this? Can't you wait until to-morrow, 
but you must be trying it on with teamsters and mules? The whole 
country will be up after you. 

Joe. Now, don't you worry. Cap, We will get a good haul in money 
and dust out of that coach. 

Neil. Well, you are a fool, and so are all the rest. However, it's too 
late to talk about that. But mind what I tell you, if any one of you does 
any more fooling beforehand I'll lead the vigilantes to hang him myself. 
Every one of you has the rope around his neck if 1 chose to say the word. 
Now, listen to me. Have everybody on the divide above here to-morrow 
night when the coach comes along. You know what to do then, and 
how to do it. Aaron Parsons will be there. 

Joe. What's the use of letting in any more? There's too many claims 
for the pay streak, already. What's the use of old Aaron? 

Neil. He knows nothing about it, but I mean to have him on the s^ot 
without a mask^ do you see ? 

Joe. Oho! I see it. So suspicion will fall on him. You are a sharp 
one. Cap. You are. {Joe goes off'L. mid Neil exits C.) 

Jef (enters L. -watches Neil closely.) There's some deviltry afoot and 
as near as I could tell from a look at that felloAV with Neil, it's that same 
sulking villain that played partner to Neil. But I can't make it out. All 
aboard. {Exit L. all rush out L.) 

Mr. S. {enter from R.) I see what they mean to do. Luckily I over- 
heard the conversation between Mr. Norris and his pal. Mr. Norris is 
sent as messenger to guard the treasure box on the return trip, and it will 
of course be stolen from him. But I will have that box filled with nails 
instead of gold. Ha, ha, ha, Wells-Fargo carriers of the U. S. Nails. 
Good joke. {Exit C. Noise of retreating xvheels heard off\^\ enter Aaron 
and Pet^ L.) 

Aaron {agitated.) My darling, we must fly again. All is lost. That 
man knew me. Fool that I was, whv did I not recognize him at first? 

Pet. What is it, father? What ma"'n ? Not Mr. Grosvenor? 

Aaron. No, no. But let us go at once — here — now. 

Pet {firmly.) Father, you must not speak so. Listen. I will do 
whatever you wish — to-morrorv. There is no need for hurry. If it is that 
Mr. Stalkenlily that has so alarmed you, he is going beyond the town. 
He said so at supper. He can't be back then for two days. So we can 
make our preparations to go to-morrow, and leave at night after both 
coaches have gone. 

Aaron. Yes, yes, to-morrow night. I forgot. I have an engagement 
to-morrow. 

Pet. What engagement? 

Aaron. I must go up to the half-way cabin to meet — 

Pet. Not Mr. Norris ? Oh, father, I wish you were more afraid of him ? 

Aaron. Afraid of him? So I am. But he means well — he means 
well by me. He says he will save me — 

Pet. Save you. ^— from what? No, no, don't look so. I didn't mean 
to ask. You know I promised you I would never ask you what misfor- 
tune has come over you—though I feel it would be better, far better, if 
you would tell me all. Nothing could be worse to me than not knowing; 



l8 THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 

but there, never mind now, father. To morrow I will do anything you 
ask. Good-night, father. (Kisses him; exits R.) 

{Father F. enters L.) 

Aaron {goes up to Father Flynn.) I've got something to tell you sir- 
It aint about myself. It's about my girl. Have you taken any notice 
of her actions lately.^ 

Father F. Yis I've noticed she seems more quiet this last toime. 
What's up.'' 

Aaron. That's jest it. It ain't nateral for her to be so quiet. She's 
always been chipper and gay, and flying around; but lately I've seen her 
sitting so quiet like you'd think she was a stone. 

Father F. Well, what's up wid the blissed girrul ? If you want me to 
help you in any way av coorse I will. So spake out. 

Aaron. Yes, yes, thank ye. I come to yo' cause it appeared to me 
you belonged to us folks. I've figgered and figgered on it and I can't 
make out nothing but that she is in love. 

Father F. I think you're mistaken, Aaron. The girrul's got too 
much sense to fall in love while she has you to keer for. Ye didn't think 
she would shake you, did yc? 

Aaron. I see you don't understand me, I never was much of a hand 
to talk, nohow — but there's only one man it is safe for her to marry, and 
she don't love him. 

Father F. Eh ? And that is Neil Norris.? 

Aaron. Yes. 

Father F. Oho! Theomadhaun! Ye don't mean to give yer dar- 
ther to the loikes of him, eh ? 

Aaron. I don't mean to, if I can help myself — but — I cannot. 

Father F. Look here, Aaron, it's about toime for you to come to con- 
fession. You've got something on your moind. Now, out wid it. 

Aaron, Yes, I have. It is a terrible secret. If I tell you, will you 
swear — 

Father F. Me swear .^ A praste of the Catholic Church swear to kape 
a sacret.? Oh, no — thafs our business^ but I forgive ye, me man. 

Aaron. Forgive me, Father Flynn. I know I can trust you. Well, 
then — this man Norris has me in his power. 

Father F. Yes, I kin see that wid me eyes shut. 

Aaron. And he wants me to give him my darter — jny Pet. 

Father F. Oho, the blagyard! Does he think he is good enough for 
the loikes of her ? Oh no, oh no. 

Aarofi. But if I do not give her up to him he threatens me. 

Father F. Now look a here, Aaron. We all know you are a real born 
gintlemon, — and now, wovild ye be afther giving away yer darter to save 
yer own carcass ? Not if j^ou are a gintlemon, Sir. 

Aaron. N-o-o-o. But I can't help myself — I can't indeed. 

Father F. A darter that ye think more of than of your own life — a 
dear swate girrul that any of the byes in the camp would give his life to 
save from any harrum/ And yii ye would sacrifice her to this mon to 
save yerself — shame on ye. 

Aaron. Yes, yes, — that is all too true — but I should save her from dis- 



THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. I9 

grace, for if I am disgraced she would have to share it and that would 
kill her. It would kill me. When I first told her he wanted to rnarry 
her she looked up at me sudden like, and I had to hold to the fence for a 
minute, for her eyes kinder knocked me so. I felt as if I had stabbed 
her to the heart. She was all fired up. Her mother was one of them 
fiery kind, you know. Then her eyes grew sort of soft and shiny like and 
she said, "Father, I'll do anything else in the world for you, but don't ask 
me that, don't ask me that." Now whatww I to do.-* 

Father F. Do.-* Do nothing. Or, phwateyer ye do, don't play the 
coward. Ye have too many friends here and she has more than you 
have, so ye needn't be afraid, old man. Depend on it I'll see you through 
it all. Good-night, {exit L.) 

{Stage grotxjs dark, Aaron sits in a study. Door C. opens, enter two 
masked men zv/io come up behind him and cover him -with revolvers.) 

First Man. {Joe^ Not a word if you value yer life. You must go 
with us at once. ( To the other 7nan.) You see that the gal don't foller. 
She's too good for an old bilk like him. 

Aaron. For God's sake respect her — for my sake, — for — 

First Man. Shut up your trap, old man, or we will take her along 
with us. 

Second Man. Shut up yourself. Pears like you done talk too much. 

First Man. Well, you ain't no call to be shooting off your mouth 
at all. 

Secofid Man. Which I say quit yerself. You done got the old man 
hyar, and ye mout let him rest easy ; that's all I've got to say. 

First Man. Douse yer glim, or you'll have the gal out here in an- 
other minute. 

Second Alan. Well, leastways hold yer tongue about the gal, or I'll 
shoot ye, sure as my name is Dave. 

First Man. Hist man, or you'll peach on the hull crowd. No names 
before present company or ye are a dead man. {to Aaron.) Come along, 
old man, you're wanted. {They drag Aaron off Q. door. Enter Pet R. 
runs to door C. and screams.) 

Second Man {Pap Feeder. Returns to door C.) Do ye know me, Pet.^* 
{lifts mask.) Don't peach on me, and I'll take good keer of yer dad, I'm 
Pap Reeder. I don't mean any harm by yer dad. It's one of Mr. Nor- 
ris' plans but ye see that 'are detective is as smart as he is, and so he 
put me inter these togs, and I got inter Norris' gang of road agents, so 
I could take good keer of yer dad for him. 

Pet. Oh, thank God for that, I know you are my friend and his, and 
I can trust him in your hands. But, I am going ahead of you, to warn 
the stage, if Selim can carry me that far lo-night. 

Pap. No, gal. It's too far and too risky. Ye mustn't go. 

Pet. Yes, I can reach the stage before the robbers do, and all will be 
well. Do not stop me. I'm afraid harm will come to him. 

Pap. What? To yer dad. Not while he is in my keer. 

Pet. No, no, not father, but some one I love — Oh, what am I saying? 

Pap. Well, in that case I spose ye must go. But it's dark and the 
mountain road is dangerous arter dark. 

Pet. I have ridden darker nights than this down the grade, and I am 



20 THE PET OF PARSONS' RANCH. 

not a bit afraid. Selim knows the way, and he knows me. I must go — 
I shall go and may heaven protect me. (She kneels 07i one knee. Pap un- 
covers his head, and looks at her.) 

(picture, curtain.) 
(Second Picture. Pap supporting her.) 

ACT III. 

{Cut wood and rocks back. Night. Stage very dark. Sound of zvheels 
coming off L. Enter two masked men with Aaron in custody not masked. 
Joe ^oes back and hJds up letter, as stage appears L., behind rocks. Wheels 
stop.) 

Joe. You're covered, Jeff Rogers. Don't you stir or you will get the 
top (-f your head blowt d off. (J^ff g^ts out his revolver, tries to shoot, but 
finds every chamber empty). No use, cap'n. Why don't you carry a shot- 
gun.? Six shooters ain't no account against a road agent. 

Jeff (to Barry). They've got us! All we can do is to give in and 
keep our wits about us, so we can recognize the rascals. 

Harry. But the passengers — they are armed. 

Jeff. The passengers won't waste their powder, nor take any risks for 
the stage company, and besides, the road agents won't trouble them! 

Joe. Tumble out; one at a time. Hold up your hands. Handover 
the treasure box, Jeff Rogers, and be lively about it. (Business). 

(Joe kicks the treasure box to see if it is heavy. Aaron breaks away., runs 
across road front of stage., and disappears.) 

Harry. That was Mr. Parsons, by all that's wonderful. 

Jeff. Yes, but be silent. It was only a part of the plot to have him 
here, and I'll vouch for his innocence. 

Neil. There's one of them villains got away. 

Je.;ff. Now, that's what I call a shame. Here's Mr. Norris thinks he 
has caught the hull crowd except one. Don't let the rest get away, now 
don't, Mr. Norris (Neil winces. The robbers take up treasure box and 
exeunt R. Neil and passengers come up C). 

Joe. {goitig off R. after robbers). You're bound to stay thar until 
moon-down, afore you go to go any furder, if you know what's good for 
you. (Exit R). 

Neil (to the passengers.) Boys, did they get all your shooting irons.-* 

Eirst Passenger. No, you bet. We are heeled yet. Got a revolver 
apiece. 

Neil. Well, who will follow the trail with me? We can catch them 
yet, for they'll have to carry that box or else stop to break it open. 

All. We will follow. 

(They all rush off "K., shouting.) 

Neil (zvhoop heard offK. in distance). The scoundrels. I'll make them 
pay for that. (Starts' to folloxv passengers off R). 

Jeff (coolly). Hadn't you better make haste, Mr. Hart.'' You might 
not catch those road agents unless you know jest whar they are going. 

Neil (aside). He knows that I am Tom Hart, eh I Well, I can't 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 21 

afford to drop the mask now. {aloud). I think I can overtake them, and 
I am certain I know one of the fellows. 

yeff. And so do I. The scoundrel that put a new cylinder into my 
revolver, and has got my cylinder this minute in his'n. But I have a 
derringer handy, thank fortune, so jest lay down your pistol, Mr. Hart. 
Hold up your hands, Mr. Hart. Mr. Grosvenor, have the kindness to 
go through Mr. Hart while I explain the operations of this derringer. 
You see it takes one hand to hold the team and the other to explain. 
{Points derringer at Neil.) A derringer, Mr. Hart, is cal'lated for close 
quarters. Don't forget that inside breast pocket, Mr. Grosvenor, where 
he carries the way-mail. You see it is all for your good, Mr, Hart. 
It wouldn't look nice for the company's box to be robbed, and the com- 
pany's messenger to be omitted in the distribution. Besides, I can 
take better care of that mail than you can. Now, git, you jackass 
rabbit. Make yerself scarce, or you'll be lynched. 

{Exit Norris R. During Jeff''s speech Harry has searched Neil.) 

Harry. Why didn't you keep him while you had him.? 

yeff. Because we don't want him jest yet. Can you ride a horse.? 

Harry. Yes; why do you ask.? 

Jeff. Because we must ride ten miles while they walk two. Who 
gets to Parsons' ranch first — that's the question. 

Harry. Then you think Miss Parsons is in danger.? 

yeff. I think it's my business to go at once and see. Strip the 
leaders of their harness as quick as you can. Thar's an old saddle in 
the boot of the coach; you take that; I'll ride bareback. Come, let's be 
off. 

{Exit yeffand Harry L. Re-enter Neil R. Looks off L.) 

Neil. The scoundrels ! They have gone, but I have one more chance 
at them, {Shoots off L, after them) Missed him. Damnation! But 
what does it matter now.? I'll be even with him yet. But I must 
hasten after the boys, and get my share of the plunder. {Looks off R.) 
What's that coming.? By all the fates, it's Pet, {Noise of footsteps com- 
ing near). Now is my only chance, I'll take her over to Pap Reeder's 
cabin, and let him take care of her until I am ready for her. She shall 
go with me now, whether she will or not. This treasure is worth more 
to me than all the gold. 

Pet {Coming on R. Rtcnntng and out of breath). Oh, sir, Mr, Norris, 
where is my father — tell me. Where is he.? 

Neil. Your father has escaped. 

Pet. Thank God for that. 

Neil. But he will be captured. You forget what I told you about a 
father in the penitentiary. And T am sorry to say that he was in the 
gang of road agents that just robbed this coach. 

Pet, That is not true. You know — 

Neil. I know nothing more than I saw with my own eyes. 

Pet. Sir, it is false. This was part of your plot — to have him here in 
order to shield yourself, for you are the guilty man. Tou would throw 
this wretched crime on my father. 

Neil, /would do that,? You think we capable of that.? I am the ex- 
press messenger set to guard the treasure box, not to rob it. 



22 THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. 

Pet. Yes, but jou did rob it. You are capable of anything? You 
sent men after my father to be sure of having him on the spot, and you 
have him in hiding now. Where is he? {Puts out her hands in a plead- 
ing manner. He seizes her, draws her to him, struggling). Release me. 
(JShe screams). 

Neil. You are in my power now, my beauty, and I can do wi!h you 
as 1 v/ish. I love you, and have sworn that you shall be mine. Co'me. 

Pet. Never! Release m.e, I say. 

Neil. You must go with me. Luckily I have a friend ready who will 
take care of you for me in his cabin until I call for you. {Struggles.) 

Fat Iter F. {Appears L. C. -with revolver.) Not so fasht, my iriend. 
{Neil attempts to draw; Pet gets one hand loose arid draws her revolver 
on him. Picture). 

Pet. Not so fast, Mr. Norris. You are in my power now. 

ACT IV. 
(Parsons' ranch. Harry lying on a cot. Pet and Jeff bending over him.) 

Jeff. I told you so, Pet. He's come to. Now let's see what is the 
damage. Lucky I know something about breaks and bruises {to Harry). 
Feel faint, eh.? That's nateral. 'Hem, this cut on your forehead's no 
account. Wash it, Pet. Vinegar and brown paper is too expensive for 
that scratch. Can't move this arm, eh.? 

Pet. Oh, maybe it is broken. 

Jeff. No, it is onlv out at the shoulder; ribs all right. Now tliat's 
queer. Wlien I break anything, it's allers a rib. So many of 'em, you 
know, that the chances are allers in favor of a rib. Thighs.? Knee-pans.? 
All right. Thank the Lord they're not pulverized. They allers get me. 
Bad shape, and nothing to splice 'em to. What's this.? A broken leg.? 
Well, you'll have to lie still awhile, partner, and Pet and I will pull you 
through all right. Hey, boys.? 

Pet. Oh, Jeff, can you do anything for him.? 

Jeff. Well, I'm up to most of the tricks of the surgeons. Quite a 
bone-sharp, in fact. I'll try. I'll attend to the shoulder first. Now we 
must make him sit up a minute. Oh, if we had a doctor here, how he 
would make you holler ; how he would jerk you round. But / won't 
hurt you a bit. 

{Bares Harry'' s arm; raises it horizontally; moves it hack and forth., 
then gives it a gentle rotary motion). 

Jeff. There it goes. Did you hear it snap back in place.? It's a good 
deal like a bayonet joint. Get the right hitch on her and in she goes. 
Any hostler knows that that ever put the bottom on a stable lantern. 
Hey, boys? But these doctors haven't found it out. 

{Enter Aaron C, pale and panting. Sinks into a chair.) 

Pet {rushes to him and clasps him round the 7ieck.) Oh, father, I am 
so glad you are safe at last, and that I have you home once again. 

Jeff {comes forward). Hello, Aaron, here's a pretty mess. Good thing 
you have come. Stage robbed upon the divide. All the passengers 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 22 

hunting for the road agents. Mighty brash about it after the thing is 
all over. 

Pe/ (aside). Hush, Jeff, not a word about that now. 

jfej {aside). All right, Pet; I won't hurt your feelings, nor his'n. 
{aloud) And here's my partner and me rode down the grade like mad, 
for fear they'd play off suthin or nuther on Pet and you. And Mr. 
Grosvenor was in such a hurry he got off his boss the wrong way, and 
knocked at the door with his head and his shoulders, and his shins all 
in aheap. Tie him together with a string. Oho! I see Mr. Norris 
has made so bold as to return. {Looks L). 

Aaron. Oh, I must go. He must not see me here {attempts to rise.) 

Pet. No, father, you shall tiot go while / am here. You shall stay 
and see the thing out. He daresnH touch you. 

J'lf (^^ Aaro)i). Just keep quiet and let me drive. I'll bring you 
through all right, or my name ain't JefF. {aside.) I can't quite make 
the thing out, but Norris has some new deviltry afoot, {to Pet and 
Harry) Pet and you ought to be armed. {Takes a revolver from 
Harris pockety and puts it under Harris pillow. Offers a revolver to 
Pet) Pet, I haven't had time to explain things to you, and I couldn't 
exactly if I had time, for I don't fully see through Norris' hand. But 
this pop may come handy to you. 

Pet {takes her oivn revolver prom her pocket) I don't care to shoot ex- 
cept at hill-grouse or two-bit pieces. But a pistol is a handy thing to 
show, I have found out; and I'd just like to see Neil Norris lay a hand 
on dad. 

{Enter Norris L, followed by three passengers who had been accomplices 
in the stage robbery.) 

Jeff {off-hand). Well, Neil, what luck.? Did you catch them.? 

Neil. No, but the company don't lose much. We found the treas- 
ure box broken open and full of horse- shoe nails. 

Jeff" {astonished) The devil you did.? Precious cargo.? A mighty 
pretty game of the road agents to pull the treasure box beforehand, and 
then fill her up with nails, and let her be lost on the road. Beats Pap 
Reeder's box for a gold extraction process. 

Neil {the accomplices look suspiciously at Neil). It will go hard with any- 
body that was concerned in this affair if he is found out. Wells-Fargo 
never lets up on a man that has tampered with the treasure box ; no 
matter what's in it. 

Jeff. That's so. 

{Enter Aaron with candle^ R.) 

yoe. {at a glance from Neil). Thar's the man. That was one of 
them. The one without a mask on. {Aaron drops candle; Pet flics to 
him). 

Pet. Oh, sir, you are mistaken. My father is too well known to 
bear such an accusation. Speak to them, father. You were not there. 

Aaron {to Pet). I was there, Pet; God help me, I was there. 

Pet. He does not know what he is saying. You could not have seen 
him.? 

yoe. Boy§, it's mighty rough on the gal, but he was thar. 



24 

Pet. You will not let them take him away. {Aside to Neil.) 

Neil (aside to Iter.) If I save him, you know the price {She sinks 
at his feet in despair. Jejff makes a step forward but stops, Harry rises on 
his elbovJ). 

Jef. Will Pet be true to herself now? Hoiv can I save her? 

Harry. Will she sacrifice herself to save her father? Then I am lost. 

{Pet wrings hands .^ faints. Father catches her and carries her of^.) 

Aaron. Thank God, she has not made the sacrifice for my sake. 
{Exit L). 

Neil. I am glad the young lady is insensible, for I am obliged to 
confess I distinctly saw her father among the robbers of the coach. 
Probably it will be best to arrest him until we can hear from the 
sheriff, and meanwhile the house can be searched for the money stolen 
from these passengers. 

yeff. No you don't. No sending for the sheriff while /'/» around. 
This is my affair. They stopped my coach. People don't stop my coach 
and get off easy — hey, Neil? We can't get along without a sheriff, 
boys. I guess we know how to run a trial by lynch law. Some of you 
escort the man out doors and we'll organize. 

{One man starts to rummage bar and express room L. Another starts 
toward door of Pefs room R. Harry points revolver at him.) 

Second Man {Pap Reeder disguised as Georgia Dave.) 'Pears like 
you had better pleasure the Kernal, thar. He's got the dead-wood on 
ye. His weepin' is done drawed; hit's a pore show for you, and yer 
bound to git. ( The man leaves door). 

Neil. Well, gentlemen, we must have a quorum in order to lynch this 
man? 

{Enter Aaron R.) 

Aaron {aside). What's that he said? 

yeff. This place ain't quiet enough. We don't need any witnesses 
beyond ourselves — hey, Neil? When you made a hole in old Si Small's 
head, you didn't have any witnesses, did you? 

'^oe. Drop that. Old Si war my paid. 

feff. Excuse me; I wasn't aware of that, but it's all right you know. 
The jury said it Avas all right, only / wasn't on the jury. I wish old Si 
was here now, for he was an excellent hand on a vigilance committee. 
Hey, Neil? 

Neil {aside). He seems to know all about my past, but I do not fear 
him {aloud). You don't seem in any hurry for business. 

yef. Start your team easy, is my motto. Well, I allow that's a good 
place up thar on the edge of the canyon, under the pines. Mr. Ncrris 
will please step up thar and look if thar's any one coming up the grade; 
and by the time he gets back our little business will be attended to. And 
perhaps this gentleman {to first passenger) will look down the road. 
There's half a mile ot moonshine, yet. Neil exits C, and First Man L.) 

Second Man {Pap Reeder). I allow I'll stay right here and see the 
thing through, partner. 



THE PET OK parsons' RANCH. 



25 



Jeff. That's right. Prisoner, stand up. Gentlemen of the jury, thar's 
no need of making a long rigmarole about this matter. My coach was 
stopped and cleaned out on the divide three hours ago, and jou all know 
that. Hey, boys.? If anybody says this prisoner ain't guilty, let him say 
so. It's unanimous. Prisoner, what have you got to say.? The prisoner 
has nothing to say. Prisoner, if you have any little messages to leave, 
now is your time to speak. These gentlemen will do the fair thing by 
you. 

Aaron. A message.? Yes, yes — {to Pet). I will tell hernow. Why was 
I tongue-tied before.? My God! you will not kill me, gentlemen. I — I — 

Jeff. You've got no time to lose. We don't hang people because 
they are guilty, but because they are Joimd guilty ; but if you want to 
give any private messages, we'll step out thar, and these gentlemen will 
keep the time for us. Eight minutes, gentlemen. 

{Exit L. Jeff leading Aaron, A pistol shot is heard outside and Jeff 

returns). 

Jeff. Gentlemen, the prisoner attempted to escape, and I was obliged 
to draw on him. I reckon it hurt him some, for he proceeded in the 
wrong direction, and went over the edge of the bluff. I presume this 
explanation is satisfactory. If any man ain't satislied, let him step out 
and say so. It's unanimous. This court is hereby adjourned. If any of 
you boys had a horse hitched up the glen thar, that man Norris has 
-stolen it. 

All. Sold. 

{All exeunt except Georgia Dave., otherwise Pap Reeder.) 

Jeff, {turns on him). You're another of them. Do you think I don't 
know you, you peanut-eating, snuff-dipping, yaller old headlight.? 

Dave. Easy, stranger, easy. Don't say no mo' of that talk. Hit*s 
mighty onpleasant, and nary good in it. Whar's the ole man.? 

Jeff. Out of the way ; found guilty, and Neil Norris has run away to 
tell on the rest of you, %o you had better be gone too. 

Dave. You didn't done kill the ole man, did you.? I reckon I'm 
bound to hunt up the ole man, and I'm gwine to do it shore. 

Jeff. And / reckon you'd better get out of this, unless you want to 
be derricked. If you care anything about Aaron — he's safe enough. It 
ain't more than ten minutes since I fired my pistol over his head, and 
told him to git — all on account of the girl. 

Dave. Mought have knowed that, but the ole man ain't guilty. He's 
wind-shaken. I done see the hull thing. 'Ho^l ain't afeerd. Here's my 
passport. 

Jeff {takes paper and reads). " Aaron Parsons or Jeff Rogers may trust 
the bearer. Stalkenlily." {Hands it back.) Keep the paper. I'm 
sorry I was so hard on ye. The best thing ye can do is to hang around 
for a day or two, for Aaron will be back to see his daughter. 

{They exit C. Stage grorvs dark. Pet comes on ^vith a bundle glistens 
to their conversation unseen. Goes up to cot where Harry is asleep^ and 
kisses him on the forehead.) 

Pet. God bless and keep this noble man, who has nearly sacrificed 



26 THE PET OF PAKSOXs' RANCH. 

his life to save mine. I shall never forget him as long as I live — even if 
it were possible to forget the man I love. (Kisses hhn again^ and exit R. 
Jeff at door^ C, looking after her in a dazed manner. Kisses his hand to 
her. Harry starts up and looks at him wildly.) 

Jeff. She's jest gone, partner, arter her ole man, and w^e needn't ex- 
pect her back here any more. 

PICTURE CURTAIN. 

ACT V. 

Scene — Same as last act. Intermission betiveeji acts^ five to ten 
mimites. Harry lying on sofa. Enter Jeff R, reading a note. 

Jeff. Here is a note, partner, I just found on the table in Pet's room 
— her bo-door., I suppose you Eastern folks call it. 

Harry. Well, what does it say.-* Does it explain why she went 
away .? 

Jeff. Jest wait till I read it to you, will you.? {reads sloivly). "Dear 
Jeff." First time she ever called me dear. "I am going with my father, 
why or where I do not know. He says you spared his life, but he wishes 
you had not." Now what's the use of a man talking that way, Harry.'' 
If Aaron wasn't sech an infernal coward — but excuse me — I see you do 
not know him as well as I do. But, here, you read it, pard. Your ej'es 
are better than mine. {Dashes aivay tears; gives note to Harry^ 

Harry {reading). "Do not follow or try to find us. It will only make 
things worse, and perhaps kill him. I must have him alone for awhile, 
to have him regain his strength and — " 

Jeff. Thar she goes again. She fairly worships that old dad of hern. 
I'll be blowed if I don't sometimes think she ain't his darter, for she is as 
brave as a grizzly, and he hain't no more spunk than a coyote. But go 
on, pard, go on. 

Harry {reading). "If you will take the ranch and run it until 3'ou hear 
from me, or always if you will, it will be better than to have it jumped. 
You deserve to own it." 

Jeff. Thar she goes again. She has given up everything for that 
dad, and now she wants to give me a clear title to the ranch. But go on. 

Harry. "The safe key is buried in the corral. My father will not tell 
me what happened last night, and I don't wish to keep his thoughts on 
the subject by asking needless questions. But I believe I understand it 
all now, and I have trusted jow always. My dear brother, I will never 
doubt you again, nor cease to bless you." 

Jeff. There it is again about being a brother. I don't mind telling 
you, pard, I tried to get a little promotion on that, but she wouldn't have 
it, as she thought more of her old dad than me, and ever since then I 
have been a little jealous of the old man. 

Harry^ Here is a postscript to it. {reads.) "Of course you will take 
good care of Mr. Grosvenor and cure him. I am afraid I must have 
seemed to him rather forward and familiar. It he ever says so, tell him 
I have met him before in the old days at Seabrook. Please give him my 
regards. I cannot think of anything more — or rather I think of too 
many things. God bless and keep you both. Good-bye. From Pet." 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 



27 



Jeff. Now, look here, partner, she sends her regards to you^ and not 
a word to me. You see you stand in better with the little woman than I 
do, but then she gives me a clear title to the ranch, and I ought to be 
satisfied with that, even if I can't have her along with it. But I won't be 
jealous of you old boy, and here's my hand on it. {They shake). 

Ha ry. I wish I could think as you do, partner. 

Jeff. Oh, it will all come round'right. I guess Pet is about right. My 
business is to stick by you, and not go gallivanting after her. She will 
take care of herself and the old man too; and some of these days maybe 
they'll come back. I'd go on the trail it I was alone, but Pet says stay, 
and she knows best. Isow, most women you've got to look out for and 
judge for, and help 'em in spite of 'em. But if Pet needs my help she'll 
let me know in time. 

M}'. S. {enter C.) Well, boys, how d'ye do.? What does this mean.? 
The young man is injured.-* 

Jeff. Yes, he's down on his luck, bad. But how about the robbers.? 

Mr. S. Oh, we needn't track them. The company don't care to 
spend money in a case where they haven't lost any. And it's only a ques- 
tion of time, for they won't go far, and if we keep quiet they'll all turn 
up here by spring, and then we can bag them all. 

Jeff. Well, whose trail are you on now. 

Mr. S. Neil Norris', and I .must go right back to town. I only came 
down to see how you all were. Sorry Pet and her father are gone; but 
let the old man rest for awhile and lie low. It will do him good. You 
keep station here, and let Mr. Grosvenor be temporary express agent. 

Harry. Do you suppose Pet will be back soon with her father.? 

Mr. S. Can't say. Poor Parsons is the queerest man I ever saw. 
Can't quite make up my mind this minute whether he is innocent. I 
don't mean about this last business they got him in, but an affair in Sea- 
brook. 

Jeff. What was it about.? 

Mr. S. Oh, a supposed forgery. He never owned up, but ran away. 
Suspicion fell on him; always said he was innocent, and I believe it yet. 
Will ferret it out some day. Well, take care of yourselves. I'm off. 
Day, day. {Exit C). 

Jeff. "There's a man that don't stand on ceremony. Well ! 1 begin 
to see through Aaron, and maybe I ^vas a trifle too hard on him. I 
never could get my proper bearings about him. You see it's all very 
well jest for fun to try to see the inside of your own head ; but if you 
keep it up you'll get cross-eyed, so I never studied him out. 

Harry. " Yes, he is a strange man, but I would as soon think of Pet 
committing a forgery. 

Jefj. Well, I don't suppose thar are two such men as he on the Pa- 
cificslope, no more than thar are two such gals as Pet. By the powers, 
pard, I wish she was here to nurse you as you ought to be. You do 
need female protection and sympath3^ 

Harry. Well, there is my sister at Boston. How I wish she was here, 

Jeff. Send for her ; I would really like to meet her, as well as have 
her here for your sake. 

Harry. But it would take three weeks for her to come as far as Atchi- 



28 THE PET OF 

son, by railroad, and by stage the rest of the way. Then she has no one 
to accompany her. 

Jeff. I will meet her at Atchison. Come, that's fair enough. 

Harry. Well, I will write the telegram, just to see how it will look 
anyhow. {Jeff gets telegraph blanks fro7)i behmd counter. Harry sits up 
071 cot and ivrites). "Leg broken, but doing well. Can you come on at 
once.'' Jeff Rogers will meet vou at Atchison." 

Jeff. That sounds all rightl Well, shall I send it? 

Harry. Yes. 

{J ff g'oes behind bar or counter^ L. C. Sound of telegraph instrument 
clicking behind counter. Close in quickly ivith street scene). 

Scene II. Depot. Enter from R. Jff in long linen duster^ open, dis- 
playing dress suit., silk hat, kid gloves, etc. Enter frotn L. Miss Gertie 
Grosvenor in traveling costume. Jeff lifts hat and bows atukwardly. 

Jeff (aside.) There's no discount on her. {aloud) Miss Grosvenor 
I believe.? 

Gertie. Yes. Is this Mr. Rogers.-* Oh, I am so glad, as I was afraid- 
afraid — 

Jeff. Afraid I wouldn't come.'' Now you kin jest bet your bottom 
dollar — I beg your pardon — 1 mean you needn't be afraid of that. 

Gertie. And I am so glad that you and my brother are friends and 
have stood by each other in danger. It was just what Harry needed to 
bring him out — a friend of your experience. 

Jeff. Oh, thank you mum. I'm much obleeged to you for the com- 
pliment. But I haven't asked after my old friend, Jim Lossing, that lives 
in Boston, and your brother said you knew him well. 

Gertie {looks dotvn, blushing.) He is quite well. 

Jeff, {zualks R.. aside.) Blundered agin. Well, it*s none of my busi- 
ness. She's just one of my passengers and I've no call to be twittin' her 
about her sweetheart. But then I only wanted to find out how the land 
lay, for I am interested in her somehow. 

Gertie. Mr. Rogers, I ought to have asked after Miss Parsons and her 
father. Harry has written me often of her and I know I shall like her. 

Jeff. Pet and Aaron have gone away, nobody knows whar. They 
clared out in the night after the stage robbery. But I'll tell you all about 
that on the road. No use stakin' our whole stock of news on the first deal. 
But don't you be afraid about Pet. She can take care of herself and the 
old man too. And if she wants any help from me, she'll let me know in 
time. Thar's no fooling about Pet. No more like any other woman — 
than — present company excepted. 

Gertie. Harry seemed to like her very much. 

Jeff. I should think so. Who don't.? If you had seen the way she 
watched and tended him there in the midst of her own troubles, you'd 
believed in her too. But thar's our stage and we must be goin.' {They 
exit L.) 

'{Enter from R. Mr. Alec Bartlett, the president of Seabrook Batik, sur- 
veying a bank note. Hatidsotnely dressed.) 
Alec. Well, here I've been in this city for a week, and no clue yet to 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 29 

the one who passed this bank note. It is extremely odd I should find 
this note in circulation after so many years, and coming from the bank 
here; but nobody at the bank remembered who passed it. Well, I feel as 
if my road had changed into a squirrel-track and run up a tree, as these 
Westerners say. 

{Enter Mr. Stalke?ilily R. disguised. Aside. Looks R.) 

Mr. S. It's Tom Hart, as sure as my name is Stalkenlily. 

Alec, (aside.) Sure as fate — it ?5 Stalkenlily. {aloud.) How do you do} 

Mr. S. Why, this must be Mr. Bartlett. My name's Stalkenlily as 
you say. Beautiful name ain't it.'' But how the devil did you know me.'' 
You see that man out there. {Points R.) Well, that is Tom Ambrose 
alias Tom Hart, alias Neil Norris and the devil only knows what else, — 
and he's the man you and I are after. 

Alec. No! Don't let him get away for heaven's sake. 

Air. S. Keep cool. No hurry. He can't get away now. I have been 
tracking this AmbroseHart-Norris around town for three days, and never 
came up with him until this minute. But we'll not lose him now. Ah, 
he's coming this way. Turn your back so he won't recognize you while 
I put the grippers on him. {Enter Norris from R. ivith heavy beard and 
othertvise disguised. Stalkenlily approaches and lays a hand on hivi.) 

Air. S. I have a warrant for you, Mr. Norris. You needn't make any 
resistance, it's too public a place, besides my papers are made out in 
regular form. It's best to rest easy. You might gain some time until a 
requisition should 'oe made out for you from the Governor of California, 
but when the State of California gets hold of you she'll charge double. 
That's right. Surrender like a man. {Puts hand cuffs on Norris.) I sup- 
pose you know Mr. Alec Bartlett, of the Seabrook Bank.? You see his 
father was president of the bank you robbed, Air. Tom Ambrose. 

Neil. Is that going down in the bill.'' 

Alec. No, we only want to get the facts about that matter. 

Air. S. We want to clear Aaron Parsons, whether we do it by trying 
you or not. If this Seabrook business goes into court we'll try that first, 
and after we get through with that we will call on you again Mr. Hart. 
Wells-Fargo can wait. Then there's old Si Small's murder. 

Neil. You needn't squeeze so hard. I've no objection to clearing that 
old fool for his daughter's sake if for nothing else. If he had had her 
spirit he would have cleared himself long ago. 

Air. S. But as he hadn't lier spunk, you persecuted him in order to 
get her ? Why a7iy fool would have known he couldn't get her that way. 
Well, we'll escort you to a place where we shall be free from observation 
and hear your story. I think it will remove a cloud from the character 
of an innocent man. {Exit L.) 

Scene III. Parsons' Ranch as iti last act. Gertie discovered seatecf by 

Harry'' s couch. Jeff seated near by. Enter Pet with -water-stained and 

bedraggled riding habit. 

Jeff. By all the powers at once, it is Pet. {Gertie rises.) Pet, this is 
Gertie — Miss Grosvenor, I mean. 

Pet. {smiling.) I am glad you have come. Miss Grosvenor, for your 
brother's sa^e. We have not treated him well out here in the moun- 



30 



THE PET OF PARSONS RANCH. 



tains, {turns to Jef) Jeff, I want you. Father is not well. He is sink- 
ing every day. I am afraid he will die. Come with me and see what you 
can do for him. {Jeff aud Harry start up eagerly^ 

Harry. Let us all go at once. 

Gertie. I can help you watch over him. 

Pet. Oh, thank you, but — 

Gertie. Oh let me go. Men are not good nurses, you know. 

Pet. I am afraid you do not know how good men are, and how had^ 
for your life has not been like mine. But I shall be glad to have you go 
if only for company, {aside.) Glad indeed. His sister must be my Jriend. 

Jeff- Don't you think, Pet, it will be best to have him here,? You 
don't know what might happen. 

Pet. But it would be impossible to have him brought here to-night 
for the river is very high, and the quicksands are bad. I had a hard 
struggle on the treacherous river bottom, myself, and but for my sure- 
footed mustang I would not be here now. And where I do not dare to 
go, no man would dare. 

Jeff. Hey, boys? No man.? Well, /dare, {exits hastily C.) 

Pet {attempts to go after him ) Oh, he shall not go; the brave fellow 
would sacrifice his life for my sake — for father's, but — {rushes to door C.) 

Gertie {restraining Pet.) You must not go back to night. You can 
not. It would be death. Listen \.ome. Trust him. You must stay here. 

Pet {relenting^ Ah, I had forgotten courtesy and hospitality in my 
fear for my father. I had forgotten you are my guests, {sighs) Yes, I 
will stay, and trust to Jeff. He knows what is best. 

Gertie. You will stay.? I have been occupying your room, but I will 
surrender it cheerfully to you. 

Pet. No, I will take Jefi's room since he's gone. We are more used 
to inconveniences than you Eastern folks. 

Gertie. That's pretty talk to a girl who has been traveling and sleep- 
ing for a fortnight in a stage-coach. But I wish you would take your own 
room again— and let me share it with you.? 

Pet. Very well, 3'ou shall. {Noise heard -without. Enter Mr. Stalk- 
enlily and Alec Bartlett^ C.) 

Mr. S. Here we all are again, a pretty little party. And here's Pet. 
Pet, Mr. Bartlett. Mr. Bartlett, you know the rest of them. Now to 
business and tell your little story. 

Alec. Well, it seems abrupt, after meeting friends one has not seen for 
years, like Miss Parsons. But an act of justice can not be done too soon. 
I have been all these years vainly endeavoring to follow out an injunction 
my father left me when he died, — to detect the real forger and to clear 
your father from any odious stigma that — that might have attached to his 
name. 

Pet. Why, sir, was my father acciised of a forgery ? Oh, no, no, no, — 

Mr. S. Accused, but innocent. That was the secret he has kept from 
you all these years, {aside to Bartlett^ Why the deuce didn't you cut it 
short. Don't harrow the girl's feelings, {aloud.) You see, Pet, Neil 
Norris a//(75 Tom Hart, alias Tom Ambrose, is now in jaif in Atchison 
for a complication of crimes, and awaiting further proceedings. He's the 
man Pet, he's the man that did the forgery. 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH. 3I 

Alec. Yes, he's the man, and now I want to make restitution to yon^ 
for all the misunderstandings and injuries you have received. 

Mr. S. There you go again. Be brief, my son, be brief. Pet, he's 
got a title deed for you for the Seabrook Villa your father owned. You're 
an heiress. 

Alec. Yes to be brief — it's all arranged. You see my father never 
would believe yovir father was guilty, and he bought the villa of the bank 
and held it until he died and we talked it over a hundred times. He said 
if I ever found Mr. Parsons and his daughter to give them back their 
property, and lake a mortgage on it for the amount he paid for it. And 
he also said to give you the mortgage as a present on your wedding day. 

Pet. Oh, Mr. Bartlett, you must keep the mortgage yourself. I can 
not take it from you, and I shall never marry. 

Alec. Tut, tut, I've heard girls talk that way before. You can give the 
mortgage to any fellow you choose, (aside.) Jeff or Harry or — jne, but, 
there, I won't be siily. I didn't mean anything by that. But my time 
here is short. You will let me obey my father's injunctions, will you not.-* 

Pet. It is very generous in you; but have it as you will. 

Alec. Well, business is business, — and here's some more of it. Lots 
have gone up in Seabrook since the war, and no end of people have been 
after your place, but I wouldn't sell it at any price. But there's a fellow 
M-ants to pay $50,000 for it — magnificent price with the mortgage paid 
off. I advise yoti to sell. 

Pet. Whatever you think best; you are the judge. 

Alec. Well, then, I'll sell for $50,000 as soon as I get back. And 
there's • another item — ten thousand and interest due you from the 
bank. 1 believe that is all, except to say good-bye. I'm afraid you'll be 
lonesome. You must keep me posted about your address, and — Miss 
Parsons, come and visit us. Well, that's all. Good-bye. {Pet gives 
hivi her hand.) 

Pet. Good-bye, Mr. Bartlett, and may heaven bless you for your 
kindness. 

Alec. Oh, no, there's one thing more. Just step this way. {They 
come up C.) I say, Pet, Miss Parsons, I mean, you mustn't feel offended 
at what I said a minute ago about choosing the fellow you like best. I 
didn't mean anything, 'pon my soul I didn't. But you see I wish I was 
your brother, then you wouldn't feel offended at what I said ; or else 
something a little nearer than a brother.? Eh.? No? 'Pshaw. Well, 
I'm getting to be nearly middle-aged, and couldn't cut quite the proper 
caper beside a very young and pretty wife. 

Pet. Mr. Bartlett, you are flattering me. 

Alec. No. Oh, no. 'Pon my soul. But / ain't blind. Now I can 
see that Jeff is dead in love with"^ Gertie. I saw them meet at Atchison, 
and he was struck dead in love at first sight. Poor fellow, I pitied him, 
I did indeed, for I've been there myself, and got the mitten from Gertie. 
So did Joe Lossing. One pair of mittens was just enough to go around 
with us. Well, there's Jeff and Gertie. 

Pet. Jeff and Gertie.? Are you sure.? 

Alec. As sure as you are alive; but don't mix yourself up with it, for 
it will settle itself all right. Well, that puts Jeff out of the way as a 
suitor for your hand. Now, couldn't xve join hands. Pet. 



32 THE PET OF PARSONS' RANCH. 

Pet. I cannot think of such a thing now, for my father is at tTie point 
of death. I hope we will be good friends, however, for you have been 
very kind to me. {Gives her hand to him and crosses over?) 

Alec {goes L, aside). It seems I must be getting too old to move 
young hearts. At all events, I could not have thrown away $50,000 of 
my fortune on a worthier object, but I thought the little sweetheart of 
my boyish days would at least remember me kindly. Well, she let me 
down easy, anyhow. 

{Enter Jeff^ Pap Reeder and others L, bearing Aaron oji a litter. They 
set him doxvn C. 

{The dying man looks from one to another^ and does not recognize ajiy one. 
Jeff in front of cot, and Pet on other side facing audience. Aaron feels for 
Jeff '5 hand, and then for Pefs. Puts them together. They look down 
embarrassed, but holdfast. Aaron closes his eyes and lifts his hands as if 
to bless them.) 

Pet. {lets go of Jef's hand and falls at her father'' s feet clinging to 
Iiim.) Father, father; waken, waken. Do not leave me. 

Alec {comes and touches her on shoulder^ Tell him all. 

Pet (looks up, and nods that she tmder stands). Father, father, you are 
innocent. They all know you are innocent. They want you to go back 
to Seabrook. Indeed it is all so, and here are Mr. Stalkenlily and Mr. 
Bartlett come to tell you so. See ! 

{Aaron looks around -wildly^ tries to rise, but falls back on cot. Stalken- 
lily and Bartlett go to him, kneel by cot and converse. 

Pet {calls Jeff. C.) Jeff, you look pale. Something worries you. You 
must tell me what it is. When father put our hands together I remem- 
bered that we had shaken hands once before over a promise to trust one 
another — and you are still my brother. 

Jef. I remember that time well, and what I offered once, I will stand 
by now, and thar's nothing that will prevent you from taking a rough 
fellow like me, is thar.? 

Pet. Not too rough for any good woman's hand, Jeff, but I must te'il 
3^ou again as I told you then that you are merely thinking how to help 
and protect me, and I wouldn't marry you under those circumstances, nor 
any othei. Never, never, never. 

Jeff. But, Pet, you won't go back on the old man at the last, will 
you } 

Pet. You dear old fellow, you'll have to be refused a dozen times be- 
fore you'll give up what you don't want. But I hope this time will do. 
( y^.f looks blank). Well, then, I don't think it is necessary to take a 
husband / doji't xvant, in order to lose a friend and brother. 

Jeff. Pet, you know the old man's wish.-* 

Pet. Yes, and I know Miss Grosvenor's wish. 

Jeff. Why, Pet, she's engaged to Mr. Bartlett, here. 

Pet. I know better, for he told me so just now. 

Jeff. But, Pet, she wouldn't listen to me. 

Pet. I think you'd better rt5^ her j)/c»«^'5e//. {Jeff goes to Gertie, and 



THE PET OF parsons' RANCH, 



33 



Pet goes back to her father aud attends to him, Harry limps over to bedside 
of Aaron, yeff and Gertie come up C.) 

Jeff, {aside to Gertie^ C.) Miss Gertie, will you hear me for a minute. 
I — I — thought — you were engaged to — Mr. Bartlett. If it is not so — 

Gertie {confused^ looks dovj7i). No, it is not so. 

Jeff'. Then you must hear me, and you will not refuse me a little 
word. I have loved you ever since I knew you — and it must be you or 
no one. 

Gertie. And I — ever since the Indians attacked the coach on the over- 
land trip. Do you remember what I said then.!* 

Jeff. That you would do as I wished. 

Gertie. And I also told you that I had rather stay with you. {gives 
him her hand). 

Father F. {enters C.) Oh, this is sad, sad. Aaron, do you know me.^ 
{kneels by him). 

Aaron {axvakening). It is Father Flynn. God has been good to me at 
last. I have only one more wish to make, and that is, that these two be 
made one. {He joins Harry'' s and Pefs hands. They look at each other 
intently. Aaron sees his mistake tti joining their hands^ then looks tip and 
sees Jeff xvith his arm around Gertie.) It is better this way then, but 
promise me, my son, that you will protect my little girl, as you would 
your own life. Promise me that. 

Harry. {Draxvs Pet to him and folds her in his arms. She clings to 
him.) Yes, I will promise that, for she has become dearer to me than my 
own life. But 2ire you satisfied, Pet ? 

Pet. I never felt so happy in all my life, and never so miserable, be- 
tween love and duty, for l" shall lose my dearest friend on earth — my 
father. 

Aaron. But you have won another who loves you dearly — and I can 
die in peace. (Sinks back on his pillozv and dies. Pet kneels beside her 
father* s cot^ C, and all gather near. 

Father F. It is God's will. 

CURTAIN DESCENDS TO SLOW MUSIC. 



NOTHING BETTER"sr«- 

Now Ready, No. 1. 
Price, postpaid, * Paper, 25 cents. 

^' The selections are choice in quality and in large variety.'*— 
Inter-Ocean, Chicago. 

" It excels anything we have seen for the purpose." — BclecUe 
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" The latest and best things from our popular writers appear 
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CONTENTS OF NO. 1 



Keep the Mill A-going. 

Faces in the Fire. 

In School Days. 

The Two Roads. 

Extreme Unction. 

Baron Grimalkin's Death. 

Words and Their Uses. 

Fritz's Troubles. 

Two Christmas Eves. 

An Interview Between the School 

Directors and the Janitor. 
To the Memory of the late Brigham 

Young. 
How Liab and I Parted. 
Old Grimes' Hen. 
The Average Modern Traveler. 
At My Motner's Grave. 
The Newsboy's Debt. 
Mrs. Potts' Dissipated Husband. 
I See the Point. 
The Professor in Shafts. 
Mr. Sprechelheimer'H Mistake. 
God's Time. 
The Little Folks. 
The Old Schoolmaster. 
The Revolutionary Rising. 
Pat's Letter. 
How to Go to Sleep. 
Nothing. 

De Pen and De Swoard. 
.\ GreypcH't Legend— 1797. 
^he Lile-Boat is a gallant Bark. 
Birthday Gifts. 
The Superfluous Man. 
Sockery Setting a Hen. 



The Water that Has Passed. 
Medley— Mary's Little Lamb, 
The Launch of the Ship. 
Aunt Kindly. 
Evening at the Farm. 
Battle of Beal An' Duine. 
Passing Away. 

Mark Twain and the Interviewetv 
Daybreak. 
True Life. 
Modern Loyalty. 
Unfinished Still. 
Allow for the Crawl. 
The Silent Tower of Bottreaus, 
Gentility. 
I The Drunkard. 
The Poetical Patch Quilt. 
What is Life? 
Art Thou Living Yet? 
New Year's Chime. 
Song of the Chimney. 
A Domestic Tempest. 
Common Sense. 
How Mr. Coffin Spelled it. 
The Old Man in the Palace Car. 
Ego and Echo. 
A Night Picture. 
A Penitent. 
Rum's Ruin. 
The Babies. 
What Is It to Me? 
Our First Commander. 
Horseradish. 
The Doom of Claudius and Cynthia. 



For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price. 



THE ETHIOPIAN DRAMA. 

Price, xs cis. each, pout-paid. 

These plays are all short, and very funny. Nothing' poor in the list. They 
serve admirably to g'ive variety to a proerainme. The female characters may be 
assumed by males in most cases. Where something' thoroughly comical, but 
unobjectionable is wanted, they are just the thing. 

STAGE STRUCK DARKT. 

A very funny " take-off" on trag'edy ; 2 male, i female. Time 10 minutes. 
STOCKS UP— STOCKS DOWN, 

2 males; a played-out author and his sympathizing friend; very funny and full 
of •• business " and practical jokes. Time 10 minutes. 

DEAF— IN A HORN. 

2 inales; negro musician and a deaf pupil. A very interesting^ question sudden- 
ly enables the latter to hear. P'ull of first-class •' business." Time S minutes. 

HANDY ANDY, 

2 males; master and servant. The old man is petulant and the servant makes 
all sorts of ludicrous mistakes and misunderstands every order. Very lively in 
action. Time 10 minutes. 

THE MISCHIEVOUS NIGGER. 

A farce; 4 males, 2 females. Characters: The mischievous nigger, old man, 
French barber, Irishman, viridow, nurse. Time 20 minuies. 

THE SHAM DOCTOR. 

A negro farce; 4 males, 2 females. This is a tip-top farce. The "sham doctor" 
can not fail to bring dovsrn the house. Time 15 minutes. 

NO CURE, NO PAY. 

3 males, i female. Doctor Ipecac has a theory that excessive terror will cure 
people who are deaf and dumb. His daughter's lover is mistaken for the patient 
to the terror of all. Only one darky. A capital little piece for schools or parlor. 
Time 10 minutes. 

TRICKS. 

5 males, 2 females. (Only two darkys, i male, i female.) A designing old 
step-father wishes to marry his step-daughter for her money. She and her lover 
plan an elopement. The old man discovers it and has an ingenious counter-plot— 
which fails completely, to his discomfiture. Time 10 minutes. Suited to parlor 
performance. 

HAUNTED HOUSE. 

2 males. A white-washer encounters "spirits" in a house he has agreed to 
white-wash. Plenty of business. Time 8 minutes. 

THE TWO POMPEYS. 

4 males. A challenge to a duel is worked up in a very funny way. Time 
8 minutes. 

AN UNHAPPY PAIR. 

3 males, and males for a band. Two hungry niggers strike the musician? 
for a square meal. Good for school or parlor, and very funny. Time lo minutes. 



Any Piay on this List 1 6 Cts. Po 



LlBRftR^ OF COSmI 



Plays by T. S. DENISON. 

ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

A drama in five acts ; 7 male and 4 fe- 
male characters. Time, 2 hours. 

SETH GREENBACK. 

A drama in four acts ; 7 male and 3 fe- 
male. Time, i hour 15 m. 

INITIATING A GRANGER. 

A ludicrous farce ; 8 male. Time, 25 m. 

TWO GHOSTS IN WHITE. 

A humorous farce based on boarding- 
school life ; 7 female characters. Time, 
25 m. 

THE ASSESSOR. 

A humorous sketch; 3 male and 2 fe- 
male. Time, 15 m. 

BORROWING TROUBLE. 

A ludicrous farce; 3 male and 5 fe- 
male. Time, 30 m. 

COUNTRY JUSTICE. 

A very amusing- country law suit; 8 
male characters. (May admit 14.) Time, 

'^"'" THE PULL-BACK. 

A laughable farce; 6 female. Time, 
ao min. 

HANS VON SMASH. 

A roaring farce in a prologue and one 
act; 4 male and 3 female. Time, 30 m. 

OUR COUNTRY. 

A patriotic drama in three parts. Re- 
quires 9 male, 3 female, (Admits 9 male 
11; female.) Four fine tableaux. Time, 
about I hour. 

THE SCHOOL MA'AM, 

A briliant comedy in four acts; 6 male, 
5 female. Time, i hour 45 min. 

THE IRISH LINEN PEDDLER. 

A lively farce ; 3 male, 3 female. Time, 
45 m- 

Or, the 



THE KANSAS IMMIGRANTS 
Great Exodus. 

A roaring farce; 5 male, i female. 
"nme, 30 m. 



TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. 

A splendid farce; 3 male, 6 female. 
Time, 45 m. 

IS THE EDITOR IN? 

A farce ; 4 male and 2 female. 

AN ONLY DAUGHTER. 

A drama in three acts ; 5 male and 2 
female. Time, i hour 15 m. 

PETS OF SOCIETY. 

A farce in high life ; 7 females. Time, 
30 m. 

T. S. 




nour 45 m. 

UNDER THE LAURELS. 

A drama in five acts; a stirring play, 
fully equal to Louva the Pauper. Five 
male, 4 female. Time, i hour 45 m. 

THE SPARKLING CUP. 

A temperance drama in five acts; 13 
male and ,\ female. 



Plays by H. Ellio tt MoBride. 

ON THE BRINK. 

A temperance drama in two acts; 13 
male, 3 female. Time, i hour 45 m. 

A BAD JOB. 

A farce; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 30 m, 

PLAYED AND LOST. 

A sketch; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 
ao m. 

MY JEREMIAH. 

A farce; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 35 m- 

LUCY'S OLD MAN. 

A sketch; 2 male, 3 female. Time, 30 
m. 

THE COW THAT KICKED CHICAGO. 

A farce; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 25 m. 

I'LL STAY AWHILE. 

A farce; 4 male. Time, 25 m. 



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WORK AND PLAY. 

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